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Tight end Daniel Graham relished the opportunity for a Denver homecoming. Now, the Broncos have told him to find somewhere else to live.

Graham, the Patriots' first-round draft pick in 2002, was released Wednesday by the Broncos, according to multiple reports.

Graham played five seasons with the Patriots but never earned a second contract. He was excited to move to Denver because his father, Tom Graham, was a linebacker for the Broncos in the early 1970s.

Graham has only caught 222 passes for 2,465 yards and 24 touchdowns during his nine-year career, but he has always been considered as one of the NFL's elite blockers.

Yet, the Broncos didn't believe his blocking skills were worthy enough of his hefty contract. Graham signed a $30 million, five-year deal in 2007, and he was owed $4.2 million in salary in 2011, as well as a reported roster bonus worth $1 million.

The 33-year-old shouldn't have trouble finding work if and when free agency begins, but the Patriots won't be an option. They've already got an elite blocker in Alge Crumpler to go along with two very good young tight ends in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.